Generations: The Long Game

Four Nights with the Knights - Second Night

Everything went well at Aurora's one mouth check up. She was within the average range for her growth percentiles which meant that Marjorie wasn't having nearly as many issues with breastfeeding as she had with Emery. The sense of pride she felt over that was otherworldly. She had felt like a failure with Emery, and she was still overwhelmingly grateful for Mia. Even when she was being a pain in the ass, Marjorie had to remind herself of how she got them through that time.

Reece placed his hand on her thigh giving it a slight squeeze before rubbing his thumb back and forth as they drove to get Emery and Lili from Mia. He kept sneaking glances at her. He furrowed his brow, but he didn't say anything. She was lost in thought, and he was going to give her the space she seemed to need.

She looked at him and noticed his brow was furrowed again. She wished he wouldn't worry so much. She thought that once Rory was born, he would have less anxiety, but it seemed to be only affecting him slightly less. "I was just thinking about the difference in breastfeeding between her and Emery, and the support Mia gave me." She smiled at him and brushed his cheek with the back of her fingers. "You worry too much, my love." She knew sometimes a simple touch could calm him, so she wrapped her arm around his to keep contact.

They pulled into the car park at their head office. With Autumn still out with her sickness Mia had opted to watch the children in her office instead of at the Knights home. Reece punched the code in and entered the building heading straight to Mia's office. He stopped right outside the door listening to Mia play patty cake with one of them. "No one but Char would believe it," he thought to himself. He gave the door a quick rap and entered before giving her time to respond. "Oh? Where is Liliana?"

"Winter dropped by to pick her up. Evidently Autie is on the mend, and she really wanted her back home. You know how she misses her." She wasn't wrong. Their little sister had an extremely hard time being away from her child.

"Marjorie and Rory are waiting for us in the car so we can't hang around, but why don't you and Char bring the children for dinner tomorrow night?" He knew she would never turn that down, and unless they had plans, he would love to have them.

"You're cooking, right?" She wasn't coming over if he was just ordering takeaway. She could do that from home.

"Yes, I am cooking. I have been trying different stuff to entice Marjorie to eat more." Mia's eyebrow went up in response, but she didn't ask. Mia had been trying to obey the therapist and give people the space to share only what they want.

"Yes, we'll be there."

With that he scooped Emery up and headed back to Marjorie and Rory. It would soon be time for Rory to feed so he moved quickly to get Emery in his seat and get them home.

Marjorie went straight to the lounge to feed Rory while Reece went to the kitchen to prepare their dinner. He re-emerged an hour later and sat up two trays in the lounge. "I thought we might eat in here, and just watch some movies tonight." She nodded and smiled before he went back to the kitchen.

When he returned, he had their food and Emery's highchair. When he sat next to her she could feel how tense he was. While he ate, she snuggled into his side just to feel the calm come over him. She was content, and not particularly hungry so she just picked at her food from there.

She helped him clean up after, and they went up to put the children down for the night together. She loved that he was always there for these moments. As he settled Emery, he looked up to see her practically beaming. "I love you, gorgeous."

The look on her face said it already, but she wrapped her arms around him, gave him a tender kiss, and said, "I love you too."